What you need to know about malignant melanoma of the skin

Malignant melanoma of the skin is a serious type of skin cancer which may be life-threatening.

Here are several facts about malignant melanoma that everybody should be aware of, regardless of skin type:

1. Malignant melanoma is a cancer of the cells that produce the pigment melanin. These cells are called melanocytes. Melanin is the main substance that gives the skin its colour.

2. Malignant melanoma is more common in Caucasians, occurring in more than one in 90 of them, while it affects one in 10,000 persons of darker skin types.

3. Although all the causes of melanoma are not known, sunlight (especially blistering sunburns), family history, and atypical skin moles have been found to increase the risk of getting melanoma in Caucasians. The risk factors for getting this cancer in non-Caucasians is not as clear but are believed to include radiation therapy, pre-existing pigmented skin lesions, and suppression of the body’s immune system.

4. Melanoma can have many different appearances. If it arises from a pre-existing mole, there may be an increase in the size or change in the shape and may contain varied colours (shades of brown, black, red, blue and/or white). It may also bleed easily when traumatised.

5. The ABCDs of melanoma are helpful guidelines which can help determine which moles could be suspicious for melanoma:

A – Asymmetry. If one half of the mole does not resemble the other half.

B – Border and bleeding. If the border is irregular and not clearly defined from the surrounding skin and if the mole bleeds.

C – Colour. Moles that consist of a variety of colours in an irregular pattern.

D – Diameter. Molesgreater than 6mm in diameter.

6. It is important to note if the features of the mole change within a short period of time, like weeks or months, this may be more suspicious.

7. In Caucasian patients, melanoma is more common in sun-exposed areas of the body. In darker skin types, it is more common on the palms, soles, and nailbeds.

8. There are several types of melanoma, based on its appearance and location. It may resemble an enlarging brown or black spot on the skin with irregular colours and borders. Part of this may become raised. It may present as a brown or black bump on the skin that may form an ulcer in it, which may be slow to heal. It may be a brown or black spot on the palm, sole or nailbeds. It may also present as a non-pigmented bump.

9. Asians, black people and Hispanics tend to present with later stages of melanoma and so survive for shorter periods than Caucasians.

10. Early detection is key to improving survival rates. Melanoma may be treated by surgical and non-surgical methods, so if in doubt, check it out!